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Simplify Healthy Eating with Konala: Your Post Falls, Idaho Destination

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In the scenic town of Post Falls, Idaho, a culinary revolution is taking place, and it goes by the name of Konala. Here, in the shadow of the beautiful Idaho landscape, Konala is on a mission to redefine fast food. Our goal? To make healthy eating not only convenient but absolutely delicious.

Our Founding Mission

Konala, pronounced “Koe-Nah-Luh,” was born in 2023 out of a vision crafted by founders Trace Miller and his wife Jammie Miller. This dynamic duo shares a passion for fitness and a commitment to healthy living. However, they realized that finding nutritious and convenient fast food options was a struggle. Konala was their answer to this challenge, named after their beloved rescued dogs, “Kona” and “Nala.”

A Multi-Faceted Approach

At Konala, we understand that convenience is key when it comes to making healthy choices. That’s why we offer a range of ways to enjoy our wholesome offerings. From a speedy drive-thru experience to leisurely dining on our outdoor patio, curbside and online ordering, a convenient pickup window, and even third-party delivery, we’ve got all your needs covered. Whether you’re in a hurry or want to take your time, visit Konala for the perfect experience that covers all your needs!

The Konala Difference

Our food is the heart and soul of Konala. We’ve taken the concept of healthy meal prep foods and elevated it to a whole new level. Say goodbye to bland, frozen fare reheated in a microwave. At Konala, every dish is a burst of flavor, crafted with fresh ingredients and prepared throughout the day.

Explore Our Delicious Menu

Konala offers a variety of delightful options to cater to your taste buds and dietary preferences. Our protein bowls are a delectable fusion of well-seasoned, juicy proteins and fresh toppings served over your choice of base. Whether it’s teriyaki chicken, seasoned chicken breast, or poke, you’ll find a bowl that tantalizes your palate.

If salads are your go-to, Konala has you covered. Simply turn any of our bowls into a salad by placing it over a bed of fresh greens. It’s the perfect choice for those who crave greens with a dose of protein.

We haven’t forgotten the little ones either. Our mini bowls are designed to be a perfect meal for kids or for anyone looking for a lighter option when hunger strikes.

Be a Part of the Konala Movement

At Konala, we believe in making healthy eating accessible to all. That’s why we’re constantly expanding to reach more communities. If you’re passionate about promoting health and want to be a part of the Konala family, we’re excited to explore franchise opportunities with qualified candidates.

From Idaho to Montana, Nevada, and beyond, Konala is dedicated to changing the fast food game one location at a time. We invite you to experience the joy of eating well and feeling good with Konala. We can’t wait to serve you soon!

Nutrition and Flavor Harmony

Konala is not just a place for healthy eaters; it’s a haven for flavor enthusiasts too. We believe that nutritious food should never compromise on taste. That’s why our culinary experts have meticulously crafted our menu to ensure that every bite is a burst of flavor. From the bold and savory teriyaki chicken to the delicate and fresh poke options, we have something to tantalize everyone’s taste buds.

In addition to serving up delightful protein bowls and salads, we also offer a range of mouthwatering dressings and sauces that add that extra layer of flavor. Whether you’re a fan of tangy vinaigrettes or creamy, indulgent sauces, our condiments are the perfect finishing touch to your meal. At Konala, we’re here to prove that healthy eating doesn’t mean sacrificing the joy of savoring delicious food.

Join the Konala Revolution Today!

As we continue to expand our footprint across the Northwest and beyond, Konala is always on the lookout for like-minded individuals who share our passion for wellness and wholesome living. If you’re eager to be a part of a culinary revolution that’s changing the way people perceive fast food, we invite you to explore franchise opportunities with us. At Konala, we believe in not only nourishing bodies but also nurturing dreams. Join us in our mission to make healthy eating as convenient and delightful as possible, one location at a time. Together, we can bring the joy of a nutritious and flavorful dining experience to even more communities. Embrace the Konala lifestyle today!

Cakes Around the World: Exploring Global Baking Traditions

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Welcome aboard, dear cake enthusiasts! In this global tour, we will be exploring the mystical realms of cakes, an intensely loved delight stretching across cultures, celebrated in every corner of our blue planet!

Brief Explanation of the Popularity of Cakes Worldwide


Why is cake universally adored, you may ask? Well, there’s something undeniably special about a food item that effortlessly straddles the line between dessert and art. With an array of flavors, textures, and styles to choose from, cakes appeal to nearly every palate. Whether it’s a simple, stark white pound cake or a rainbow-hued, multi-tier unicorn cake, there’s a cake out there for everyone.

Importance of Exploring Global Baking Traditions


So why delve into the world of global baking traditions? Besides sparking our curiosity and teaching us some mouthwatering new recipes, understanding international desserts allows us to appreciate our global community’s richness even more. Not to mention, it’s a delicious and fun way to:
• Gain insight into other cultures
• Discover new ways of using familiar ingredients
• Challenge our baking skills with novel recipes. Let’s grab our aprons and get ready to embark on this scrumptious journey!

Traditional Cakes from Europe


Indulging in tasty desserts is a time-honored tradition across Europe. In this region, each country is known for its unique style of cake that reflects their history, culture, and local ingredients. Let’s discover a few of these delightful European cakes!

French Cake: Gâteau Breton


Originating from the Brittany region in France, Gâteau Breton possesses a crumbly yet tender texture that melts in your mouth. This buttery-rich cake is made with eggs, sugar, flour, and a generous amount of sweet butter. It’s often enjoyed with a cup of coffee or tea, making it a favorite treat during afternoon breaks. – Ingredients: Eggs, sugar, flour, butter
– Tradition: Served with coffee or tea in the afternoon

Italian Cake: Tiramisu


Tiramisu, a worldwide renowned Italian dessert, brings a whole new level of sophistication to cake tradition. Made with savoiardi (lady’s fingers), mascarpone cheese, espresso, and often a touch of liquor, this cake exhibits a beautiful balance of creamy and bold flavors with a hint of bitterness from the espresso. – Ingredients: Savoiardi, mascarpone cheese, espresso, often a touch of liquor
– Tradition: A sophisticated dessert enjoyed after meals

 

British Cake: Victoria Sponge


The Victoria Sponge cake, named after Queen Victoria herself, is a quintessential British treat. Famous for its light sponge layers sandwiching a sweet filling of jam and whipped cream, this cake embodies the simplicity and subtlety of British cuisine.- Ingredients: Flour, sugar, eggs, jam, whipped cream
– Tradition: Served at afternoon English tea

Exotic Cakes from Asia


A trip around the world is not complete without tasting the diverse and unique desserts of Asia. Let’s take a tantalizing tour of three cake specialties from Japan, India, and China.

Japanese Cake: Matcha Roll Cake


The Japanese Matcha Roll Cake is a concoction of East meets West, blending traditional Japanese flavors with a Western-style roll cake. A moist sponge cake infused with a gentle hint of matcha green tea, then filled with a lush sweetened whipped cream. Really, it’s a sensory delight! The cake’s light, tender texture combined with the matcha’s slightly bitter taste and the cream’s sweetness result in sheer perfection.- Key ingredients: matcha powder, flour, eggs, sugar, and cream.

Indian Cake: Basbousa


Our next culinary adventure takes us to the vibrant and colorful India. Basbousa, although originally an Arabic dessert, has found its unique flavor adaptation in India. Made from semolina soaked in sweet syrup, often flavored with rose water or orange blossom, this cake is a bite of heaven.- Key ingredients: semolina, sugar, yogurt, and flavored syrup.

Chinese Cake: Mooncake


Finally, we’re landing in China with the famous Mooncake. Intricately designed, Mooncakes are traditionally enjoyed during the Mid-Autumn Festival. With a thick, tender pastry skin enveloping a sweet, dense filling, often filled with lotus seed paste and sometimes inclusing a salted egg yolk inside, they are really a symbol of Chinese gastronomic culture. – Key ingredients: lotus seed paste, salted egg yolks, and lard. In the end, cultural boundaries may divide us, but food, specifically cake, has the power to bring us together. It’s a sweet journey worth embarking on!

Unique Cakes from Africa


Fancy a sweet trip around Africa? Let’s embark on a luscious journey that cakes us across the mesmerizing continent of Africa, from South Africa’s Malva Pudding to Kenya’s Mandazi and Nigeria’s Chin Chin.

South African Cake: Malva Pudding


Leading the parade of African cakes is South Africa’s famous Malva Pudding. This luscious treat is a sweet and sticky baked sponge pudding made with apricot jam and often served hot with custard or ice-cream. Our recipe for Malva Pudding is easy to follow, making it a cinch to bring a taste of Africa to your dessert table.- Moist and fluffy texture with a caramelized exterior.
– Decadent apricot flavor that goes perfectly well with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Kenyan Cake: Mandazi


Next stop, Kenya, known for Mandazi, a slightly sweetened fried bread, often referred to as Kenyan Doughnut. Made with coconut milk and often subtly spiced with cardamom or cinnamon, Mandazi is not your ordinary dessert.- Deliciously soft and fluffy on the inside, golden brown and crispy on the outside.
– Perfect for breakfast or as an afternoon snack with some Kenyan chai.

Nigerian Cake: Chin Chin


Last but not least, Nigeria’s Chin Chin, a crunchy, fried snack cake, popular during festivities. Made from plain flour, sugar, and butter, these delicious bites can be flavored with nutmeg or cinnamon to add a unique twist.- Light, crunchy texture that’ll keep you coming back for more.
– Perfectly portable for on-the-go snacking or as a feel-good treat at parties. Piece by delicious piece, Africa’s cake offerings unveil a tasty narrative of cultural traditions, unique flavors, and baking brilliance.

Cakes from the Americas


If you have a sweet tooth and a zest for cultural exploration, there’s no better place to start than right here, in the Americas.

American Cake: Red Velvet Cake


Few cakes can spark vivid memories like a good old Red Velvet cake. This delightful American classic sports a deep crimson crumb, a hint of cocoa, and is usually teamed up with a distinctive creamy white frosting. Originating from the southern states, the true surprise of this cake hides within its fabulous layers – the delicate balance of sweet, sour, soft, and moist creates a tantalizing experience for the palate.

 

Canadian Cake: Butter Tart Cake


Next on our cake voyage, we swing by our northern neighbor, Canada. Experience the bliss of their beloved Butter Tart cake. Known for its delicious filling of butter, sugar, syrup, and egg baked in pastry, the cake version includes a sponge, draped with sweet brown sugar glaze and topped with buttery pastry pieces. This is a sweet slice of Canadian culture which should not be missed!

Brazilian Cake: Brigadeiro Cake


Our last stop for this section of the cake tour is the bustling and vibrant country of Brazil. The Brigadeiro cake, named after the famous Brazilian treat, is a moist chocolate cake teeming with condensed milk, butter, and cocoa. Rolled into balls and coated in chocolate sprinkles, the cake version sees these luxurious chocolate balls used as a unique and eye-catching garnish for an already stunning chocolaty desert.Are those taste buds tingling yet? Stay tuned for more cakes from around the globe!

Lesser-Known Cakes from Oceania


Let’s hop over to the stunning, sun-bathed region of Oceania. Lying in the great Pacific Ocean, this region is known for its beautiful landscapes and unique cultural practices, and, maybe to your surprise, some significantly delightful cakes.

Australian Cake: Lamington


This first treat on our list takes us to Australia – meet the lamington. This cube-shaped sponge cake is first soaked in chocolate sauce and then rolled in desiccated coconut. It’s sometimes considered the “National Cake of Australia”, epitomizing the Aussies’ love for sweet treats. Fun fact: National Lamington Day is celebrated in Australia every July 21st!
• Light sponge cake
• Chocolate sauce
• Desiccated coconut

New Zealand Cake: Pavlova


Next, we sail to New Zealand to relish a slice of Pavlova. Named after the famous ballet dancer Anna Pavlova, this cake features a crisp meringue shell with a soft, marshmallow-like center, usually topped with fresh fruit and whipped cream. Its lightness perfectly complements the region’s widely loved dairy products.
• Crisp meringue shell
• Soft marshmallow-like center
• Fresh fruit and whipped cream

Hawaiian Cake: Haupia Cake


Lastly, let’s embark on a culinary journey to Hawaii with Haupia Cake. This delightful cake consists of a layer of white cake, a layer of haupia – a coconut milk-based Hawaiian dessert – and often, another layer of white cake, all topped off with whipped frosting. Truly a tropical delight!
• White cake layers
• Haupia (Coconut milk-based Hawaiian dessert)
• Whipped frosting

Fusion Cakes: Creatively Combining Traditions


What’s more exciting than taking a trip around the world in a single bite? Fusion cakes meld together different culinary styles to create something deliciously new and exciting, respecting the traditions of the original recipes while innovating for the modern palate.

Mexican Tres Leches Cake with a Japanese Matcha Twist


Take the wildly popular Mexican Tres Leches cake! This melt-in-your-mouth sponge cake, soaked in a heavenly concoction of three kinds of milk, gets an intriguing facelift with the addition of Japanese Matcha. This powdered green tea adds a slightly bitter, earthy contrast to the rich sweetness of the cake, accompanied by a beautiful green hue that’s a feast for the eyes.

Italian Cannoli Cake with an Indian Gulab Jamun Filling


Next stop is Italy, home of the crispy and creamy Cannoli. But imagine intertwining this with an Indian dessert, the Gulab Jamun. Yes, you read correctly! Replacing the traditional ricotta filling with sweet, syrup-soaked gulab jamuns, we create a fusion that’s both surprising and delightful. The crunchiness of the cannoli, filled with the luxurious, juicy sweetness of the gulab jamun, will make your taste buds dance with joy!
Fusion cakes open a new world of dessert possibilities. Get ready to embark on a global baking adventure!

Conclusion

Recap of the diverse cakes explored


In this gastronomic voyage, we’ve journeyed through various continents, tasting and appreciating the myriad of cake baking traditions that exist. From the aromatic basbousa of Egypt, the intricate gulab jamun cake of India, to the delectable black forest cake of Germany – each one is a testament to its country’s unique culinary heritage. We savored the delicate balance of sweetness in Japan’s matcha cake and took delight in the delightful texture of Brazil’s brigadeiro cake.
• Basbousa – Egypt
• Gulab Jamun Cake – India
• Black Forest Cake – Germany
• Matcha Cake – Japan
• Brigadeiro Cake – Brazil

Encouragement to try baking these international cakes at home


Imagine being able to transport your taste buds to any part of the globe through the magic of baking. We hope this diverse array of international cakes inspires you to experiment with these delicious recipes at home. By doing so, not only can you indulge in new flavors, but also expand your culinary horizon while respecting and appreciating various world cultures. Nothing could be more exciting than transforming your kitchen into an experimental, global bakery! Happy baking!

Stock photos provided by Dreamstime.com

Finding the Ideal Bakery Job by Going Online

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Thinking about working in a bakery? Keep reading!

The internet has become invaluable in our daily lives for many reasons these days. We now go online for many purposes such as streaming movies, contacting friends, using social media, educational purposes, shopping, and work. When it comes to the latter, turning to internet technology can play a big part in terms of your career success, and it can help you to find the ideal position within the industry you want to work in.

If you have aspirations of becoming a baker, there are many ways in which internet tech can help you to achieve this goal. There are lots of tools and resources that you can turn to in order to boost your chances of getting into this type of job, and you will find that using these can make a big difference to your success levels. Once you succeed in securing a baker position, you can look forward to a rewarding and satisfying career doing something you enjoy. In this article, we will look at some of the ways you can get into a bakery job by going online.

How It Can Help

There are many ways in which going online can help if you have aspirations to become a baker. Some of the key ones are:

Ability to Research the Best Training Facilities

One of the ways in which going online can help is that it enables you to better research the various training facilities so that you can find the ideal one for you. It is important that you have proper training and the right skills to get into a position as a baker, and this means getting the ideal training. By going online, you can compare different training facilities to ensure you find the perfect one to develop your skills and knowledge.

Getting a Great Resume Together

Another way in which going online can help is by providing you with access to baker resume examples and templates. This then makes it easier for you to create the perfect resume to boost your chances of success within this field. A good resume is vital because it can make all the difference when you start applying for baker jobs, so you need to ensure you put time and effort into creating one that shows off your skills and demonstrates why you are the best person for the job.

Being Alerted About Suitable Positions

One of the other reasons to go online to help you get a job as a baker is that you can access a range of online job agencies where such vacancies are posted by employers. In fact, you can enter your details and the type of work you want, and details of suitable positions are then emailed directly to you. This is a great way to ensure you are alerted whenever a possibly ideal position arises.

These are some of the ways in which you can get the ideal bakery job by making use of internet technology.

How to Use Your Resume to Become a Restaurant Manager

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Thinking about running a restaurant? Keep reading!

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Restaurant managers ensure daily operations run smoothly and customers are kept happy. It can be a rewarding and exciting job for those with a passion for the food industry.

If this sounds like you, there are ways to increase your chances of securing a restaurant manager role. Your resume should highlight your best qualities and show recruiters that you have what it takes to be a fantastic restaurant manager.

We will go through some of the ways you can use your resume to become a restaurant manager. If you need further support, why not check out our restaurant manager resume examples.

Ways to Use Your Resume to Become a Restaurant Manager

Here are some of the best ways to use your resume to become a restaurant manager:

Highlight your relevant skills

Creating a resume that stands out for all the right reasons is very important. To increase your chances of landing a restaurant manager role, highlight all your relevant skills. You should list these skills first and detail how you gained them and how you will use them in the future. For example, leadership skills are fundamental in restaurant manager roles, so you could write something like:

I have excellent leadership skills gained through being part of a football team. I am confident in leading a team even in stressful situations, which is very important in restaurant management.

Use job descriptions

Read the job description for the job you’re applying to multiple times and underline important words and phrases that indicate the skills needed for the job. Use these keywords throughout your resume. Recruiters will scan your resume using an applicant tracking system (ATS). Including keywords will increase the chances of your application rising to the top of the pile.

Some keywords often included in restaurant manager job descriptions are:

  • Hospitality management
  • Menu development
  • Customer service
  • Food safety
  • Restaurant industry
  • Leadership experience

Create multiple resumes

Ensure you have a selection of different resumes when applying for a restaurant manager position. It would help if you tailored your resume to match the job you are applying for. This will show recruiters you are willing to go the extra mile to secure the position.

A tailored resume prevents you from fading into the background and means your application will be impactful. Recruiters often have to read hundreds of resumes, so you must do everything you can to make sure yours sticks in their minds.

Research companies

Show that you are serious about a job by doing additional research into the company. This will impress the recruiter and demonstrates that you care about getting the job. If you include some research about a company, recruiters are likely to mention this during an interview, giving you an added edge.

However, it’s important to not just cram in as many facts about the company as possible. You should sprinkle in a few interesting points about the company and ensure they are relevant. For example, suppose a restaurant prioritizes minimizing food waste. In that case, you could write about this and link it to your sustainability efforts.

Give your resume to the right people

You need to ensure your resume gets to the right people to avoid it being lost among other job applications. Sometimes if you hand your resume into a restaurant, it gets tossed to the side, never to be seen again.

It’s worth covering several bases by answering online job postings, emailing the relevant people, and even going into the restaurant when the owner is present. Being persistent shows you are passionate, and if you can develop a rapport with a restaurant owner or other members of management, this is a definite plus.

How to Shop for Large Scale Commercial Brewing Equipment

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Thinking about brewing your own beer? Keep reading!

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America is changing. The country that gave birth to the worldwide sensation that is the McDonald’s food corporation has been in the thrall of big food business for more than fifty years.

In a nation so large, Americans have long tended to gravitate towards companies and products that are available nationwide. That ensures that no matter where they travel, they are sure to be able to find a taste of home. Although this is still true, tastes are beginning to change.

If you look at McDonald’s and how their business compares with their sister company, Chipotle, you’ll see that Americans are being driven towards quality. Although meals at McDonald’s are cheap and readily available, people are still flocking to the fast-casual alternative. That is because people are realizing that it is worth their time and money to purchase a superior product. Check this link to find out more.

But why is this? Perhaps it has something to do with the rise of social media. With the click of a button, your friends and family can share an exciting new product, food, drink, or experience with every one of their followers. They can communicate whether or not the product was worth their time and money.

With a wellspring of information coming from trusted friends and family members, people are starting to take a step outside of the mainstream more and more often.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in the beer industry. Hundreds of new craft breweries open up every year. Chances are good that there’s already one or more located in your hometown.

Small scale breweries are stepping up and taking on the competition. Small beer companies are growing at a faster rate than some of the “big beer” brands. But what does this mean for you? Click here for more statistics about how fast craft beer is growing.

Maybe you’re just starting out and feel overwhelmed at the thought of investing in the right setup for your business. Or maybe you’re already established and want to take your brewery to the next level.

Whatever circumstance you find yourself in, you’ve come to the right place. Read along and you’ll find the important elements you should consider when it comes to shopping for large scale commercial brewing equipment. Let’s get started!

Safety First!

If you know anything about brewing beer, you know that it can be hot, sweaty, dangerous work.

That’s because the process requires heat in order to begin the fermentation process. Most brewing equipment is made from metal. This is because it is easy to clean, can withstand the temperature fluctuations necessary to the brewing process, and is unlikely to break down in the course of regular wear and tear.

What does this mean for you?

Make it a point that any setup you invest in has plenty of safety features. Although nothing can replace a good set of best practices and thorough training, you’ll rest easy knowing that even when you’re not around, your facility will be running smoothly.

Look for a solid, well-built production platform. You’ll want to ensure that the metal piping is well-insulated and that your brewer is equipped with the proper safety materials.

Do Your Research

When it comes to brewing beer, there’s one person’s opinion that will stand above the rest.

When you’re looking to upgrade your current system, you’ll want to consult with your brewer. She might have valuable information for you about your needs.

For example, she might have ideas about a line of limited-run batches designed to bring people into the door of your brewpub. While some people might line up around the block for a chance to try an elderflower brew, others might come calling when they hear about your black pepper ale.

While both of these flavors are unique and will appeal to your customers, you have to have a realistic expectation as to how many people will be interested.

You may find that a setup that contains a larger number of tanks that hold a smaller volume are a better fit for you going forwards than a couple of large-scale tanks.

You can check out the ABS Commercial Website to find out the different volumes they have available.

Check on the Services

The last thing you’ll want to consider when you’re shopping for your brewery is to vet the company you decide to work with.

A great way to do this is to check their social media engagement. If you find that the company you are looking to work with proudly posts their products online, you may have found the right one for you.

Another thing to take a look at is their comment section. Are customers coming back to write about their positive experiences? Are there a bunch of unanswered comments asking about how to get a quote from the company? You’ll want to choose a company that is responsive and professional in order to ensure you get what you need in a timely manner. Social media can be a great tool for your ongoing research.

No matter what you choose, as long as you do your research, you will be sure to come to an end result that will please you, your customers, your staff, and your community.

Beer brings people together. It can be a form of artistic expression or reason to get together. So get out there and get brewing!

The Ultimate Thanksgiving Checklist

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With Thanksgiving just around the corner, there can be a lot to think about. Thanksgiving is a great time for family to come together and enjoy a splendid meal. Creating a perfect thanksgiving meal can be challenging with so much cooking and baking to do!

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Although cooking the Turkey may seem like the most important part of Thanksgiving, desserts and side dishes can be equally important! Not only that, but prepping the kitchen and dinner table to make sure the meal is served just as planned. 

In this blog post, we hope to help you organize your mind a little bit by giving you a check-list of essentials you will want to consider for the holiday. 

Plan your menu

Pick your favorite Turkey recipe and then plan the side dishes around it. Popular side dishes range from mashed potatoes and stuffing to green bean casserole and Brussel sprouts. Choose the dishes that you know everyone will like and enjoy.  

Create a shopping list

Once you have a good idea of who will be coming, you can take a look at each recipe to decide how much of each dish you’ll need. By figuring this out before you go shopping, you won’t be pondering too much at the grocery store. Start by going through each recipe and figuring out the items you already have and the ones you still need. If other guests are bringing dishes, make sure they’re in the loop about how many people are coming and even any allergies that others may have. Finally, write all the ingredients you’ll need down on a piece of paper so you can stay organized while you shop.

Decide on Decor 

Serving utensils, kitchen essentials, and decor are all important to consider so you can serve the food as flawlessly as you’ll make it! If you need to buy new cutlery or utensils it may be a great time to purchase bamboo kitchen products which are also good for the environment.

You can also think about if you’ll purchase flowers or a fall-themed centerpiece to make the table look nice. Other cute decors could include candles, family photos, or new wine glasses. 

Make or freeze pie dough

One of the best parts about Thanksgiving dinner is the dessert! With Fall being the perfect time for pie, why not try it out? If you decide to make the pie yourself, make a couple of batches of the dough before-hand and freeze it so you don’t have to worry about it later! If you’re contemplating what type of pie to make you can take a look at our delicious Granny Smith Apple Pie recipe as a delicious option.

Freeze rolls

Find some bread rolls that can freeze easily and don’t worry about them again until Thanksgiving Day when you defrost them.

Shop for non-perishables ahead of time

It may be a great idea to avoid crowds and get a chunk of your shopping done early. You can split up your list by perishables and non-perishables. Non-perishables you will want to consider are flour, sugar, and canned cranberries. Don’t forget cleaning supplies like bamboo paper towels!

Pick up your Turkey

If you’ve ordered a Turkey, don’t forget to pick it up! You can prepare to defrost it once it’s in your hands

Buy Pershible Ingredients up to 3 days before

Fresh vegetables, seafood, or bread should all be purchased at this time. It is also a great idea to double-check for any last-minute items you may have forgotten about before!

Bake or prep any necessary side dishes the day before 

If there are any dishes like pie or stuffing that can be made the day before, you should focus on that! Make any sides that will reheat well so you can worry about the Turkey on Thanksgiving. 

Thanksgiving Day 

Preheat your oven in the morning and get that Turkey going! If you have stayed organized thus far, you won’t have to stress on Thanksgiving day and enjoy your company. 

The Day After– Use your leftovers 

You can store leftovers in your refrigerator for up to 4 days. Bring extra items to work for lunch the next day or save some pie for some much-needed late night dessert!

Exploring the Cultural Significance of Food and Drink with Simon Whalley

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The food that we eat is inextricably linked with the culture that surrounds us, and much can be discovered about a person by taking a closer look at the foods they choose to eat and cook!

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Many cultures evolved specifically around food, with early civilizations being organised in ways that best suited the gathering, production and distribution of food. The types and styles of cooking, food preservation and ingredients have a lot to do with the climate, geography and resources of each particular area, so various cultures may have vastly different foods and cooking methods.

What and how we eat is often governed by rituals that have become ingrained in societies through the generations. Some of these rituals are religious, with dietary laws prescribed by religious texts and adhered to by orthodox populations. These may be ongoing dietary rules such as the Jewish people only eating kosher meat that has been prepared in a certain way, or rituals that tie in with specific religious festivals, such as Muslims fasting during the daylight hours of Ramadan. Other rituals are more secular, such as eating turkey at Thanksgiving in the US or the Japanese tea ceremony, which although rooted in Buddhism has become a symbol of manners and grace in society.

Regional food habits can be noted within cultural recipes, but as the world becomes more global, there is increasing crossover between cuisines. Recipes get adapted as new ingredients become available and new dishes spring from old, resulting in fusions of different cultures coming together in one meal. Food etiquette often varies from region to region also. Some cultures eat using knives and forks or chopsticks, while others find it polite to eat using only the hands. Within each of these disciplines there are yet more rules which vary from region to region, such as which hand it is acceptable to hold the knife or chopsticks in, or which fork to use for which course of a meal.

Regional variations can also be found within the same country, sometimes to quite an extensive degree. In India, some areas of the country eat a strictly vegetarian diet, while other regions feature many dishes that are meat-based. Styles of cooking and choice of ingredients vary from city to city, village to village in Italy; the focus across most of the country is on the use of fresh, local ingredients, so availability of items such as seafood or different vegetables affects the style of cookery.

Our love of food and cookery in the modern world can be seen by the proliferation of food tourism. Many people taking a vacation or trip will today choose to centre that trip around eating and exploring new cuisines. By learning local preparation techniques and what local chefs look for in terms of ingredients, people can absorb themselves fully in the food of another culture and take some of that knowledge home with them.

About Simon Whalley

Simon Whalley is a music composer and lecturer who is well respected, having worked internationally in some prestigious venues and institutions. His passion for travel and the arts has led him to visit many places and experience many cultures, taking in cultural landmarks and preservation centres such as galleries and museums, as well as experimenting with new flavours.